Handle structure



June 15, 1937.

R. c. LANG HANDLE STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HANDLE STRUCTURE Application October 14, 1935, Serial No. 44,943

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a handle structure and has relation more particularly to a structure of this kind particularly designed and adapted for use in connection with mattresses, studio 5 couches, cushions and the like, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a structure of this character which enables the handle proper to be applied to a wall of the mattress or the like after such mattress has been filled.

10 It is also an object of the invention to provide a structure of this kind wherein a portion thereof is carried directly by a wall of the mattress and. which portion is so constructed and applied to oifer no hindrance or obstruction to the filling 15 operation.

The mattress handles now being offered to the bedding industry have objectionable projections on the inside of the mattress wall which make it very diflicult to fill a mattress on the ordinary type of mattress filling machine due to the fact that with such prior known handles the same are applied to the mattress covering or wall before filling and then the inner -springs and other filling materials are stuffed into the covering. 25 These projections present a serious handicap and either prevent the filling material from sliding into the mattress covering properly or prevent the mattress covering from sliding easily and gathering properly over the spout of the filling machine.

30 An additional object of the invention is to provide a handle structure which avoids these disadvantages.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrange- 35 ment of the several parts of my improved handle structure whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more 40 fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter he definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the 45 same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational viewof a mattress having a handle applied thereto con-, structed in accordance with an embodiment of 50 my invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illus-- trating the attaching means as disclosed in Fig- 55 ure 2 before final adjustment; 7

Figure 4 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a fastening means constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view illustratv5 ing an additional modification of the fastening means;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a handle secured to a wall of a. mattress covering or the like in accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detailedsectional view illustrating in detail the securing 'means as comprised in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view with portions in elevation illustrating an additional embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view illustrating a still further embodiment;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation of a handle con-, structed in a manner different from that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 11 is a detailed view partly in section and partly in elevation of a handle constructed in a still further manner.

As disclosed in Figures 1 to 3, W denotes a side wall of a mattress, cushion and the like and which wall is of a quilted type althoughI do not wish to be understood as limiting myself in this respect. Disposed through this wall W in desired spaced relation are the grommets I preferably of metal and clinched into place. Surrounding the inner portion of each of the grommets I and having direct contact with the inner face of the wall W is a fibre washer 2 which provides a reinforcing means whereby the efficiency of the handle structure is materially increased.

The handle H as herein disclosed comprises a tubular member of desired length and which has its end portions flattened, as at 3. These flattened portions have disposed therethrough the openings 4 which register with the bores of the grommets I so that the handle H may be readily applied into working position overlying the outer side face of the wall W.

As herein disclosed the marginal portions of the extremities 3 surrounding the openings 4 are pressed into substantially a conoidal form to extend or fit within the outer end portions of the grommets to further facilitate the maintenance of the handle H in place.

In applying the handle H the shank 5 of a bolt is inserted through each of the openings 4 and after this is done a distortive sleeve 6, as of rubthis embodiment her, is placed snugly upon the bolt 5 to the inner side of the handle H, said sleeve being of a length less than the length of the shank 5 but of a length to extend beyond the inner end of the grommet I after the shank 5 and sleeve 8 have been inserted therethrough with a flattened portion 3 of the handle member H in close contact with the outer end of the grommet I. Before this insertion, however, a nut I is threaded upon the shank 5 outwardly of the applied sleeve 6, said shank 5 being of a greater length than the sleeve 6 to permit this application. The nut-l is also of a major diameter to permit the same to readily pass through the grommet l. The head 8 of the bolt 5 has contact with the outer face of a flattened portion 3 of the handle H and upon rotation of the shank 5 in one direction movement of the shank 5 through the nut 1 and/or movement of the nut I inwardly of the shank 5 will result in an expansion of the inner or inserted end portion of the sleeve 6, spreading the same into close contact with the inner end of the grommet I as is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings. By this means the end portion of the handle H is effectively and conveniently anchored to the wall W exteriorly thereof and which anchorage can be'readily and conveniently obtained after the mattress covering has been filled. It is also to be noted that this mounting for each end of the handle H is free of any inside projections which would-ma.-

terially interfere with the filling of the mattress covering. After the mattress has been made up completely with the wall or border W having the grommets previously applied, the applied sleeves 6 together of course with the shanks 5 are pushed by hand through the grommets. In this operation it is to be understood that the'shanks 5 have also been inserted through the openings 4 in the handle H and the nuts I tightened suffioiently against the outer end of the sleeve 6 to eifect such engagement between the sleeve 6 and the applied nut I to hold said nut 1 against rotation upon rotation of the shanks 5 through the instrumentality of a screw driver or kindred implement.

In Figure 4 is illustrated an embodiment of my invention wherein the distortive sleeve 6 is metallic with the inner portion of said sleeve 6 slotted, as at 9, so th t the desired distortion or expansion of said inne end portion of the sleeve 6 may be obtained under the action of the nut l threading upon the shank 5 of the bolt. In it is to be further noted that the inner portion of the nut I is tapered, as at III, to provide an efiective wedge action to facilitate the distortion or expansion of the inner portion of the sleeve 6.

In Figure 5 is illustrated another embodiment of my invention wherein the grommet I is internally threaded, as at H, for coaction with a stud bolt l2 and which bolt l2 can be readily applied from without the mattress .covering after filling.

In Figures 6 and 7 each end. portion of the handle H is continued to provide an inwardly disposed spring arm I4 and adjacent to said arm I each end portion of the handle H has struck therefrom a second inwardly facing spring arm 15. These arms I4 and I5 initially are inclined one toward the other and have their outer extremitles' continued by the oppositely directed lugs l6 disposed in the same general direction as the handle H. Threaded through each end portion of the handle H between the ,arms I4 and I5 is a bolt I! of a length to thread through the handle H and contact with the outer end portions of the arms I4 and I5 to expand or separate the same so that the'lugs 16 will engage over the inner portion of a grommet l'. The arms I4 and I5 of course are of a length to assure this engagement and the initial converging relation of these arms I4 and I5 permits the same to be readily passed through the grommet In Figure 8 the embodiment of the invention is one wherein each end portion of the handle H" is continued to provide an inwardly disposed spring arm H terminating in a. laterally disposed lug 16" to engage with the inner end of the grommet I" as the bolt I1" is threaded through the adjacent portion of the handle H" and passes through the grommet l In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 9 each end portion of the handle H is provided with an opening through which is freely directed a bolt l9 and which bolt is of a length to extend through and beyond the inner end of the grommet l The inserted end portion of the bolt is has threaded thereon a plate 20 from which radiates the spring arms 2|. Initially this plate 20 is positioned on the bolt l9 at a point to permit the bolt and the plate to be inserted through the grommet l to carry the plate 20 and the arms 2| entirely through the grommet, this being permitted by a contraction of the arms 2| afforded by their inherent resiliency. After this initial application the arms 2| will swing outwardly so that upon turning movement of the bolt IS in one direction the plate 20 will move toward the inner end of the grommet l and bring the arms 2i directly into contact therewith and thus resulting in an effective clamping of the adjacent end portion of the handle H to the outer end of the grommet l The handles may be constructed in various ways, as for example in Figure 10 is disclosed a type of handle where each end portion thereof comprises a socket 22, the outer portion of which being formed to provide an eye member 23. The socket 22 has threaded therein an end portion of a connecting rod 24, said rod 24 however being first inserted through a tube 25 of suitable color. This tube is generally known as a spaghetti type. In Figure 11 the handle comprises a bar 26 having its ends flattened to provide the eye members 21 and said bar between the eye members 21 is surrounded by a tubing 28 of desired color. In the production of this type of handle the tube 28 is applied before the end portions of the bar 26 are flattened and pierced.

In referring in the appended claims to a mattress covering I wish it to be understood by this definite term to include and embrace coverings for studio couches, cushions and kindred articles.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a handle structure constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand for this reason I do not wish to be understoodas limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

to said wall at spaced points, a handle having openings in its extremities for register with the bores 01 the grommets, and means extending through the openings of the handle member and into the grommets constructed and arranged for coaction with the grommets and the extremities of the handle member to hold said extremities of the handle member to the grommets.

2. A handle structure for a mattress wall comprising grommets disposed through and secured to said wall at spaced points, a handle having openings in its extremities for register with the bores of the grommets, and means extending through the openings of the handle member and into the grommets constructed and arranged for coaction with the grommets and the extremities of the handle member to hold said extremities of the handle member to the grommets, the portions of the handle member surrounding the openings in the extremities of the handle member being substantially conoidal to extend within the bores 01 the grommets.

3. A handle structure for a mattress wall comprising grommets disposed through and secured to said wall at spaced points, a handle having openings in its extremities i'or register with the bores 01' the grommets, and means extending through the openings of the handle member and into the grommets constructed and arranged for coaction with the grommets and the extremities of the handle member to clamp said extremities of the handle member to the grommets.

4. A handle structure for a mattress wall comprising grommets disposed through and secured to said wall at spaced points, a handle having openings in its extremities for register with the bores of the grommets, and means extending through the openings of the handle member and into the grommets constructed and arranged'for coaction with the extremities of the handle member and the ends of the grommets remote from the' handle member to clamp said extremities of the handle member to the grommets.

5. A handle structure for a mattress wall comprising spaced grommets disposed through and secured to said wall, a handle having openings,

in its extremities, headed shanks disposed through the openings of the handle and through the grommets, distortable sleeves surrounding said shanks and initially insertable through the grommets, said sleeves being also initially of a length to extend from the extremities of the handle to a point beyond the ends of the grommets remote from the handle, elements threaded on the shanks outwardly of the sleeves, said elements being also insertable through the grommets, relative rotation of the shanks and elements resulting in an expansion of the sleeves adjacent to the elements to engage said sleeves with the adjacent ends of the grommets to hold the handle in place. 6. A handle structure for a mattress wall comprising a grommet disposed through and secured to said wall, a handle having a portion contacting with an end of the grommet, and means coacting with said portion of the handle and with the grommet to hold the handle to the grommet.

'7. A handle structure for a mattress wall comprising a grommet disposed through and secured to said wall, a handle having an opening for register with the bore of the grommet, and means extending through the opening of the handle and into the grommet constructed and arranged for coaction with the grommet and the handle to hold said handle to the grommet.

8. A handle structure for a mattress wall comprising a grommet disposed through and secured to said wall, a handle having a portion contacting the grommet, said portion having an opening,

and a headed member insertable through said opening of the handle and threading into the bore of the grommet to hold the handle to the grommet.

RUDOLPH C. LANG. 

